He dominated Tuks, captained an undefeated season, and lifted the USSA trophy. Now, Jacko Lees, a rising star forged on the fields of St John’s College, Johannesburg, sets his sights on a new challenge: England’s Geddington Cricket Club. Get ready for another chapter in Lees’ fairytale rise!
His story is one of unwavering determination, exceptional leadership, and a burning passion for the game that now sees him eagerly embark on a new chapter in 2024.
Led by Lees Tuks cricketers have achieved something unique this season: not lose once from January to December.
A definite highlight was winning the USSA Tournament in Cape Town. It is the seventh consecutive time that Tuks has been crowned champion. Tuks has beat Northwest in the final.
Lees, Tuks’s captain, can be forgiven for thinking, “I love it when a plan comes together”.
“Winning the USSA Tournament is the perfect way to end my university cricket career. Being the captain and contributing with the bat to our success makes it more memorable.”
ALSO READ: Going for big scores seems to be Lees’s passion
Lees ended the tournament, scoring 209 runs in four games at an average of 41.80. His best innings was his knock of 110 runs against UWC. In the final, he scored 54 runs.
He is not one to let statistics get to his head. For him, when he steps onto the field, there is a job to be done. It does not matter whether it is with a ball in hand or a bat. Lees considers himself a batsman who can take wickets when needed.
Remaining unbeaten throughout the season is a statistic Lees is justifiably proud of. He is unsure how his cricket career will play out from next year. Lees has a Titans high-performance contract up to April. Then he is off to Northampton to play club cricket for Geddington Cricket Club in England for the 2024 season.
“The challenge to me will be to make the most of any opportunity that comes my way. I am lucky to be naturally inclined to be an attacking batsman, but it does not mean I see myself as a specialist one day or a T20 cricketer. Ask any cricketer, and they will tell you that test cricket is the pinnacle of our sport. The same goes for me. I will forever be grateful for how TuksCricket’s coaches have gone to help me fine-tune my technique,” said the Tuks cricketer of the year.
Kundai Matiguma was the top bowler during the USSA Tournament. In four matches, he took 14 wickets at an average of 9.36.
ALSO READ: Tuks Cricket remains a prolific source of talent for the Proteas
Is Jack Less on of the bright stars to watch in SA cricket? Leave us a comment on Facebook.
